The Norman Transcript
Norman — Fort Sill graduated two gender-integrated batteries of soldiers this past week. It’s the first in a decade. Echo Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery graduated first. Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 378th Infantry graduated later.
The first unit had 49 women and 102 men. Two of the top awards went to women volunteers. One woman was chosen as the distinghuished honor graduate and the other won the highest score on the final physical fitness test.
It makes sense that the soldiers should train together. They’ll be working together in the field and if they can’t cooperate in training, they sure can’t get together on the battlefield.
Fort Sill had some gender-integrated classes a decade ago but this time things went more smoothly, the Lawton Constitution reported. Drill sergeants received special training this year making the transition smoother.
